Labels. People LOVE them. Easy, simple and memorable, they roll off the tongue and make us feel good when we use them.
But are they useful?
Do they overlook something else, something more important?
Do they shut down conversation?
Because when we just call people names, not only do we create division, but we overlook the things that made the problematic individuals this way.
So look behind the problem and beneath the person – and ask, how? Why?
What brought them here? What road did they walk? What journey have they been on?
And can we do more to put them on a better path?
Image by Ugne Vasyliute